How to Get the New AI-Powered Siri: Join Apple's Waitlist

Apple has launched an early access program for the new Siri, which will get built-in artificial intelligence features. Owners of compatible Apple devices who want to be the first to try the updated assistant can join the waitlist.

What the new Siri is

The updated assistant will work with ChatGPT and with local AI models developed by Apple. This should help Siri better understand complex context, give fuller and more accurate answers and, most importantly, carry out multistep tasks directly on the device without sending data to servers.

The ChatGPT integration will extend Siri's abilities for very complex requests, such as analyzing documents or writing text. Ordinary requests will be handled locally for speed and privacy.

How to join the waitlist

The process is as simple as it gets. Open your device settings, find the "Siri & Search" section, then choose "New Siri Early Access Program". Alternatively, you can visit Apple's official website for your country and fill out the registration form there.

The waitlist asks for a few basic details:

• Device model and serial number (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch)
• Current operating system version
• Country of residence
• An active Apple ID for receiving notifications

After you sign up, you will get a notification in your device settings when Apple grants you access. This can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy the program is.

Requirements and timing

Participation requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, macOS 15.1 or newer. Unfortunately, older devices are not supported: you need relatively recent models, namely iPhone 15 Pro and later, Macs with Apple Silicon (starting with the Mac mini M1), and modern iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

"The new Siri is designed with a priority on user privacy and on-device processing speed,"

Apple stresses in the program description.

The waitlist is active in the US and is gradually expanding to Europe, Canada and other regions. Apple will grant access in waves for controlled testing. The full public release of the new Siri features is expected at the end of the year, alongside the main operating system update.

What this means

For users, this means a smarter, more responsive assistant that works faster, more reliably and more privately. For developers, new APIs will appear for deep integration of the updated Siri into apps. For the industry, it is one more sign that the line between cloud and local AI systems is blurring: powerful assistants now work in both places at once, depending on the task.